Rumor - Completed

Soarin' Around the World Rumor Tracker

Time Frame

Original Soarin' Returns May 27, 2016
Soarin' Around the World Opens June 17, 2016

Rumor Status

Completed

Specific Details

The original Soarin' film returned to Epcot's The Land Pavilion on May 27, 2016. Then a replacement for the current Soarin' film at Epcot's The Land Pavilion is expected to open on June 17, 2016. The new attraction will be called Soarin' Around the World.

The music has ties to the original score from Soarin' but is a new composition for the attraction.

Technical and physical upgrade include:

Changes to the queue, adjacent restroom, and upgrades to digital projectors are expected.

Digital and laser upgrades to the film quality

An additional theater will be connected.

The attraction will feature a new musical score with ties to the original.

The order of scenes from Soaring Over the Horizon (Shanghai) are as follows:

Shanghai (This is expected to be replaced with a fly over of Epcot/Walt Disney World)

It also appears that an additional scene featuring the real life Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps will be featured.

Guests can make Fastpass+ selections for June 17th and beyond beginning April 21, 2016.

It is possible that if guest demand is strong enough, guests will have a choice of seeing the old film or the new film.

A clip of the Great Wall of China and Sydney Harbor scenes can be found here (note: music was added and does not reflect the new score):

Another video from the Disney Parks Blog was posted on August 16, 2015

Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald is featured in this video from June 9, 2016. The video also includes footage from the Matterhorn/Swiss Alps sequence of the attraction.

Rumor Timeline

June 17, 2016: Today Disney officially opened Soarin' Around the World at Epcot. The attraction retains the original Patrick Warburton pre-show and all three theaters are now open.

June 16, 2016: Patrick Warburton (@paddywarbucks) posted on Twitter wishing farewell to Soarin' Over California. However it appears that Soarin' Around the World will use the same safety spiel. The tweet was as follows:

June 15, 2016: WDWMagic.com is reporting that the original Soarin' film will close early on June 16th. June 16th was already scheduled to be the attraction's last day of operation, but the report is that the attraction will close at 5 PM instead of the park's normal 9 PM closing time. Guests that have Fastpass+ reservations after 5 PM on June 16th will be rescheduled to a time earlier in the day.

The early closure is reportedly to help facilitate the opening of Soarin' Around the World on June 17th.

June 8, 2016: The Disney Parks Blog shared a video featuring Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald discussing Soarin' Around the World at Disney California Adventure. The video shows the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps. It is expected that this is the first scene of Soarin' Around the World for both California and Florida.

May 31, 2016: InsideTheMagic.net has an interview with Imagineer Marie Colabelli that features additional footage not shown in Soaring Over the Horizon (Shanghai). The new footage features what appears to be the real life Matterhorn mountain.

May 27, 2016: The original Soarin' film returned with a digital upgrade. Currently not all three theaters are operational as one of the original theaters is currently closed. Updated restrooms also opened in the area.

May 20, 2016: The Disney Parks Blog confirmed that the original Soarin' film will be returning to The Land Pavilion at Epcot on May 27th. The film will return with a digital upgrade and a third theater for additional capacity.

On June 17, 2016 the film will switch to the new Soarin' Around the World film.

May 8, 2016: A video was posted to V.Youku.com featuring a walkthrough of most of the attractions in Shanghai Disneyland. At approximately the 10 minute mark, the video features a full video of Soaring Over the Horizon. The new Soarin' Around the World film is expected to be identical with the exception of the final scene. The clips shown in the video are as follows:

Polar Bears and a breaching whale in front of glacier (believed to be Greenland)

Sydney Harbor

Neuschwanstein castle in Germany/Bavarian Alps

Plains of Africa chasing elephants with Mt. Kilimanjaro as a backdrop (scent of Grass)

The Great Wall of China

The pyramids of Egypt

The TajMahal (scent of Rose)

The Grand Canyon/Monument Valley

Fiji (scent of Ocean)

Iguazu Falls, Brazil

Eiffel Tower, France

Shanghai (This is expected to be replaced with a fly over of Epcot/Walt Disney World)

The music has ties to the original score from Soarin' but is a new composition for the attraction.

May 7, 2016: Shanghai Disneyland is currently operating select attractions for invited guests. Twitter user @DiscoveryArcade posted a short clip of Soaring Over the Horizon that features similar (if not identical) music to the original Soarin' score. Soarin' Around the World is expected to be mostly similar to this film with the exception of the final scene.

May 3, 2016: MiceChat.com is reporting that because Soarin' at Disney California Adventure is digital, they will have the option of easily reverting back to the original Soarin' Over California film. It is possible that they could dedicate one theater to the original film while the other plays Soarin' Around the World. Epcot's version will also be digital when it reopens and could theoretically offer the same flexibility.

April 21, 2016: OrlandoParksNews.com is reporting that the original Soarin' flim will return on May 27, 2016 before Soarin' Around the World replaces it on June 17, 2016.

April 20, 2016: The Disney Parks Blog confirmed that Soarin' Around the World is opening at Epcot on June 17, 2016. Guests will be able to make Fastpass+ selections for June 17th and beyond beginning April 21, 2016. The post shared a new piece of concept art as well as confirmed that one of the scenes will feature the Matterhorn in Switzerland.

April 19, 2016: Disney released official video of a portion of Soarin' Around the World. The video features footage of the Great Wall of China and Sydney Harbor.

April 15, 2016: Disney is planning a three day media event discussing projects currently in development. It is expected that between April 18-20th Disney will offer more details on Soarin' Around the World as well as many other projects.

March 7, 2016: @Amanduh627 on Twitter posted a photo of a new Soarin Around the World merchandise offering at the World of Disney store in Disneyland's Downtown Disney. The photo shows several destinations that could be included as part of the upcoming attraction:

Swiss Alps

Monument Valley

Egypt

France

Africa

Australia

Iguazu Falls (Brazil)

Fiji

Disneyland

Aside from Disneyland, all locations for the Soarin' attraction in Disney California Adventure are expected to be identical to the attraction coming to Epcot.

January 19, 2016: MiceChat.com is reporting that Disney California Adventure's version of Soarin' Around the World is expected to open on June 17, 2016. It is expected that Epcot's version would open around the same time.

January 12, 2016: The Disney Parks Blog reported that Shanghai Disneyland will officially open on June 16, 2016. It has been rumored that Soarin' Around the World would debut in Shanghai first and then in Epcot and Disney California Adventure.

October 18, 2015: DisneyWorld.com has confirmed that Soarin' will close for refurbishment on January 4, 2016, and re-open in summer 2016.

October 8, 2015: Orlando Parks News posted an additional article reporting that Soarin' will close for a six month refurbishment beginning in January 2016. The refurbishment is expected to include updates to the restroom, film projector and queue. It is also expected to connect the third theater to the queue. It is not expected that Soarin' Around the World will debut when it re-opens from refurbishment, but later in 2016.

September 13, 2015: Orlando Parks News is reporting that Soarin' will close for a six month refurbishment beginning in January of 2016.

August 16, 2015: The Disney Parks Blog shared a "making of" video of Soarin' Over the World.

July 15, 2015: WDWMagic.com user Rteetz has posted photos from Soaring Over the Horizon. It is unknown if these scenes will be used in the new film for Epcot.

July 14, 2015: The Disney Parks Blog announced details of the attractions coming to Shanghai Disneyland. The Soarin' attraction there will be named Soaring Over the Horizon.

June 15, 2015: On Episode #81 of the Unofficial Guide's Disney Dish with Jim Hill, Jim mentions that the plan for the third Soarin' theater and digital upgrades will be done in phases. The new theater will open and then they will close one of the other two theaters to make digital upgrades for that. Once the three theaters are digital it is expected that the new film will debut. This is expected to take place in 2016.

June 4, 2015: @Orlando_Parks reported on Twitter that the extension to the queue has begun for the third theater at Soarin'.

April 9, 2015: On Episode #79 of The Disney Nerds Podcast, Jim Hill has said that the Jerry Rees "mystery project" is Soarin'.

March 5, 2015: The Disney Parks Blog confirmed that theater upgrades and a third theater will be added to Soarin' by the end of 2016.

February 4, 2015: WDWMagic.com user danlb_2000 has reported that three new permits have been filed for the Soarin' project.

February 1, 2015: On Episode 72 of The Unofficial Guide's Disney Dish with Jim Hill Podcast, Jim Hill mentions two different Soarin' films that are currently in production:

Soarin' Across America

Soarin' Round the World

November 14, 2014: OrlandoParksNews.com has reported that work has begun on the third theater for Soarin'. The area behind the current attraction is currently labeled as a construction zone.

November 8, 2014: WDWMagic.com user Alektronic has reported that the time frame for the Soarin' changes will depend on the opening of the Frozen attraction in Norway. When that attraction opens, Soarin' is expected to close for 6 months, and it will then re-open with new digital projectors, a new film and a 3rd theater.

November 7, 2014: WDWMagic.comdanlb_2000 has reported that Disney has filed a Notice of Commencement to "Add facility to existing attraction - Project 87" with the address for Soarin'. The expiration for this permit is 9/30/2016. We are considering this confirmation that the third theater is being constructed.

November 2, 2014: Patrick Warburton appeared on the Adam Carolla Podcast and said that he has not been asked by Disney to film any new footage for Soarin'.

October 30, 2014: WDWMagic.com user Alektronic has reported that Disney is looking for the Frozen attraction to open in December 2015 with Soarin' closing in January 2016. Soarin' would then re-open with the new film (and potentially a 3rd theater) in summer 2016.

October 9, 2014: WDWMagic.com user WDW1974 has reported that the new Soarin' film and digital upgrade will first open in Shanghai and likely will not open in Florida by 2016. He also reported that the film is close to being completed, but the third theater has not been approved.

August 31, 2014: Orlando Parks News has reported that eye-witness reports of the back stage of Soarin' reveal additional clearing taking place behind Soarin'. It is unknown at this time whether 1 or 2 additional theaters will be constructed, but the clearing of the area adds to the credibility of this rumor.

August 19, 2014: MiceChat.com has reported that Disneyland's plans for their 60th Anniversary will include an announcement on the Soarin' upgrades at Disney California Adventure. Epcot is expected to receive the same updates.

July 26, 2014: Orlando Parks News has reported that clearing is taking place behind Soarin' lending credibility to the rumors of a third and a fourth theater being added.

July 19, 2014: ThemeParkInsider.com has reported that several sources have confirmed that a third theater will be built for Soarin'. It is expected to open in time for the upgraded Soarin' attraction that is currently in development.

July 8, 2014: DisneyAtWork.com has reported that trailers have moved out of the area and that work has begun on a third theater for Soarin'. These reports are currently unconfirmed. WDWMagic.com user Alektronic has also confirmed that the third Soarin' Theater, "is a go." The expectation is the new theater will be built, then the subsequent theaters will be converted to digital and re-open as Soarin' Over the World.

June 14, 2014: @HateToFlyposted to Twitter that Frozen would be coming in 2015, Soarin' in 2016, Avatar in 2017 and Star Wars in 2019.

May 5, 2014: WDWMagic.com user Mr Nonacho posted an image of a piece of paper being distributed to Yacht and Beach Club guests indicating that there would be a helicopter flyover on May 6th and 7th.

May 5, 2014: WDWMagic.com reported that Disney will be filming a flyover Walt Disney World on May 6th and May 7th. It is expected that monorails and friendship boats will be properly staged for the flyover as well.

April 28, 2014: WDWMagic.com posted a YouTube video of a helicopter flying over the Magic Kingdom, it is speculated this was related to filming for Soarin'

April 24, 2014: WDWMagic.com has reported that there will be flyovers at Walt Disney World between 9:30pm and 10:30pm on April 27, and then the Epcot resort areas and the Magic Kingdom from 5:30am to midday on April 28 2014.

April 23, 2014: WDWMagic.com has reported that film crews will be flying over Walt Disney World and specifically Epcot over the next month for footage for the final scene of a new Soarin' film. User Alektronic has indicated that filming will likely be in the first week of May before park opening.

March 12, 2014: Disney filmed the finale scene for Disney California Adventure's new version of Soarin'. The scene included Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, highlighting Cars Land.

March 11, 2014: DLthings on Twitter posted the flight path of the helicopter that will be filming the new final scene of the Soarin' film for Disney California Adventure. It is unknown if this will be used for Epcot as well.

February 3, 2014: WDWMagic.com user WDW1974 has reported that the new Soarin' film will open in Epcot around the same time it opens in Disney California Adventure.

November 15, 2013: WDWMagic.com user WDW1974 reported a long standing Blue Sky rumor that a third theater would be constructed for Soarin'.

November 12, 2013: MiceAge.com has reported that the Disney California Adventure version of Soarin' Over California will be getting a digital upgrade in February 2014. Recording is expected to take place on March 12, 2014 for the "Soarin' Over the World" film that is expected to come to that resort in 2015. There was no mention of Epcot in that article.

August 6, 2013: MiceAge.com has posted an additional update that Soarin' The World will be an HD digital format instead of the 70mm film it currently uses, and will be created simultaneously for Shanghai, Disney California Adventure, and Epcot. Additionally the timeline has been updated to 2014/2015.

July 8, 2013: Disney and More has posted an update on what to expect as part of Soarin' The World. The expectation is that the attraction will debut in Shanghai in 2016 and then a few months later in both California Adventure and Epcot. They also posted a list of expected countries that include: England, France, Italy, Egypt, India, China, Japan, and for the U.S.A: the Grand Canyon and New York. Additional South American possibilities include Brasil and Rio de Janeiro's bay or Iguacu Falls, The Amazonia forest or the old Inca Machu-Pichu fortress in Peru.

June 4, 2013: MiceAge.com reported that a new film is being planned for both Disney California Adventure and Epcot. The title given is Soarin' The World and will include destinations through the globe. On March 14, 2014 a new finale scene will be filmed in Anaheim with the ending traveling over both Disney California Adventure and Disneyland, it is unknown whether this will appear in the Epcot version. It is also expected that the new film will be digital.

May 17, 2013: Disney and More references the new trailer for the movie Planes as a possible indication for a new Soarin' Over the World film to debut in Epcot and Disney California Adventure in 2016. The article also points to the "Twister" ride system that has been circulating since the patent was released by Disney as well.

March 9, 2013: On Episode 225 of The Season Pass Podcast, Imagineer Jerry Rees mentioned he was working on a mystery project at Epcot. It is expected that this is the Soarin' project.

November 9, 2012: Jim Hill discussed the Shanghai Disneyland concept of "Soarin' Over Fantasy" on The Unofficial Guide's Disney Dish Episode 23. The concept would feature a variety of flying scenes from classic Disney movies, with testing being done using existing footage from Mickey's PhilharMagic.

March 4, 2012: Jim Hill mentions that Disney is considering adding a 3rd theater for Soarin'.